NHL Buzz: Kadri back for Avalanche against Kraken

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

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Colorado Avalanche

Nazem Kadri returned for the Avalanche against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday after missing eight games with an upper-body injury.
The forward has not played since March 31 when he had two assists before he was injured in a 4-2 win against the San Jose Sharks.
"We had a discussion, just kind of an interaction to make sure that we're not bringing him back too early," Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Wednesday. "We still got a little bit of time here (in the regular season) … just wanted to make sure we can get him in some games, get back up to speed and make sure he's feeling good with his timing and the [game] speed."
Kadri was leading Colorado with 83 points (26 goals, 57 assists) in 65 games prior to the injury. Bednar would not confirm where in the lineup he would play against Seattle (10 p.m. ET; ROOT-NW, ALT, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
"We'll see," Bednar said. "We've been trying to dial back some of our top guys on minutes, but we'll jump him right into it because he's been out for a while. But he's been working hard on his conditioning on and off the ice. I feel like he'll be able to jump right back in and pick up all the things that he did before." -- Andy Eide

Florida Panthers

Aaron Ekblad took part in the morning skate with the Panthers on Tuesday and is on track to return for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The defenseman has not played since March 18 because of a lower-body injury. Florida has six regular-season games remaining. The playoffs begin May 2.
"Yeah, I'm hoping we don't have any setbacks and he continues to ramp up a little bit," Panthers coach Andrew Brunette said after a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Islanders on Tuesday. "It was good to see him out there today with the group a little bit. He skated yesterday. So he's been skating last week or so.
"We have to be very conscious with him a little bit. We don't we don't want to push him too hard. His body will tell him when he's ready to go, but it was a positive sign to see him. Hopefully we started integrating him here in practice and day-to-day activities with our group."
Ekblad has scored an NHL career-high 57 points (15 goals, 42 assists) in 61 games.

Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm could return to the lineup for the Bruins this weekend.
Pastrnak has missed seven games after the forward sustained an undisclosed injury in the third period of a 3-2 overtime win at the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 4. Lindholm has missed the past six games after the defenseman sustained a lower-body injury in the second period of a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on April 5.
The Bruins play at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday and host the New York Rangers on Saturday.
"All skated today in Boston," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Closer for the weekend. I haven't heard whether they'll be in or out. … Whether they're cleared to play or not Saturday is still up in the air."
Goalie Linus Ullmark, who sustained a lower-body injury late in a 2-1 win against the Penguins on Saturday, is also expected to play this weekend if he has no setbacks, Cassidy said.

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Vancouver Canucks

Jaroslav Halak likely won't travel with the Canucks for their two-game road trip because of an upper-body injury.
The goalie appeared to injure his hand in the first period of a 4-3 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday.
Halak is 4-7-2 with a 2.94 goals-against average and.902 save percentage in 17 games (14 starts) this season.
The Canucks play at the Minnesota Wild on Thursday and at the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Philadelphia Flyers

Kevin Connauton could be out for the rest of the season because of a lower-body injury.
The defenseman left in the third period of a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
Flyers coach Mike Yeo said it was "not good" and he expects Connauton to miss time.
Philadelphia has five games remaining, beginning at the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.